Valders in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Thorstein Veblen

(1857 – 1929)

Photographed By Keith L, September 16, 2008

1. Thorstein Veblen Marker

Inscription. One of Wisconsin's most controversial figures, Thorstein Bunde Veblen, was born near here July 30, 1857. In 1865 the Veblen family moved to Minnesota where Thorstein graduated from college in 1880. He was a deep thinker, usually lonely and always in debt.

After receiving a Ph.D. in philosophy from Yale in 1884, Veblen taught in several colleges. He was not a popular teacher but attracted dedicated followers to his extreme social and economic ideas. In 1899, his book "The Theory of the Leisure Class" created immediate controversy.

During much of his life, Veblen remained estranged from society. His pale, sick face, beard, loose-fitting clothes, shambling gait, weak voice and desperate shyness enhanced this estrangement and deepened his loneliness. Yet the society which did not accept Veblen the man did come to value the products of his penetrating mind. His books and articles have been described as perhaps "the most considerable and creative body of social thought that America has produced."

Erected 1970 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 176.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1857.

Location. 44° 4.176′ N, 87° 52.952′ W. Marker is in Valders, Wisconsin, in Manitowoc County. Marker is on North Liberty Street (County Highway J) 0.1 miles north of North Calumet Street (U.S. 151), on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Valders Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Valders WI 54245, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Site of Gjerpen Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 3.1 miles away); George Washington School (approx. 4.8 miles away); St. Nazianz Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles away); St. Nazianz (approx. 4.8 miles away); St. Gregory Church (approx. 5 miles away); Winnebago Trail (approx. 7.6 miles away); The Wampum or Mexico (approx. 9.1 miles away); Old Military Road (approx. 9.3 miles away).

Also see . . . Thorstine Veblen - Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 18, 2014, by Claude Barta of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker Update
As of 4/13/22, the marker is in disrepair and I am trying to gather information to

Photographed By Keith L, September 16, 2008

2. Thorstein Veblen Marker

launch a funding campaign to restore the marker.

Editor's note: Thank you for your work in repairing the marker. We'd be happy to publish new photos of the marker.

— Submitted April 13, 2022, by Peggy Ryan of Kiel, Wisconsin.

2. Marker has been removed
The existing marker has been removed. New marker to be installed by end of 2023.

— Submitted January 30, 2023, by Peggy Ryan of Kiel, Wisconsin.

Valders Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, September 16, 2008

3. Valders Memorial Park

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,543 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.